Frank Solich had a record of 58-19 as the head coach at Nebraska but was fired after a 9-3 season in 2003. (World-Herald News Service)

Former Nebraska football coach Frank Solich will accept the Tom Osborne Legacy Award at the Outland Trophy Award Dinner on Jan. 9.

Solich notified Bob Mancuso, director of the Outland Dinner committee, on Friday that he would be able to attend. It’s believed to be the first time Solich has returned to Nebraska to be honored or recognized since he was fired in 2003.

Solich, who has been head coach at Ohio University since 2005, followed Osborne in 1998 and led NU to bowl games in all six seasons, including the national championship game in 2001. His 1999 team is the last Nebraska team to win a conference championship.

Previous winners of the Osborne Legacy Award include Milt Tenopir, Barry Switzer and Bobby Bowden. Ticket information will be released at a later date.